Superstitions are a universal phenomenon that offers a fascinating glimpse into a nation’s collective psyche. Every culture has its own unique set that may seem bizarre to outsiders.
However, Mexican superstitions are deeply rooted in the country’s history and cultural heritage, meshing indigenous practices from the Aztec and Maya (and others) with Catholic influences.
In this article, I’ve compiled the Ultimate Mexican Superstitions List, which delves into their origins, meanings, and role in contemporary Mexican society.
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1. Owls are Omens of Death
In Mexican folklore, owls, particularly the lechuza (“the witch owl,” which is a woman-owl hybrid) are often seen as omens of death or misfortune.
Today, it is said that if an owl (especially a white owl) perches near your home and hoots, it foretells a death or tragedy coming your way.
When some Mexicans encounter an owl, it can evoke fear and apprehension — but for others, it’s simply one of the coolest Mexican animals.
However, these Mexican owl superstitions are deeply rooted in ancient indigenous traditions, and have been passed down through generations.
Some legends even suggest that witches can transform into white owls (which is where the Lechuza Myth comes from), using their powers to cause harm.
2. Eclipses Cause Deformities in Unborn Babies
There are A LOT of Mexican pregnancy superstitions, including this one about eclipses, which are viewed with both a sense of awe and fear in Mexican culture.
It is believed that pregnant women should avoid looking at an eclipse, as doing so can cause deformities in their unborn child.
This superstition likely has its origins in ancient beliefs about the power of celestial events.
While modern science has debunked this claim, the superstition persists in some communities.
3. Burping Gets Rid of Evil
In Mexican culture, burping is not just a bodily function, and is believed to expel sickness and evil spirits as well.
This superstition likely has roots in ancient practices where bodily functions were seen as a way to cleanse the body of impurities.
💒 San Juan Bautista Church in Chiapas, Mexico
The Tzotzil people of San Juan Chamula, located not far from San Cristobal de las Casas in Chiapas state, take serious heed of this belief.
At one of their church ceremonies, they ingest large quantities of coca-cola so they can burp and cleanse themselves.
For the Tzotzil, burping rids them of evil, and since evil is the cause of sickness, they can cure themselves and their loved ones of ailments this way.
While modern medicine may not support this belief, it remains a common practice, especially among the Tzotzil and older generations throughout Mexico.
4. Eggs and Chickens Cure Depression
In some parts of Mexico, locals believe eggs and chickens can cure depression, and there are ceremonies done to help them do just that.
In these rituals, curanderos or curanderas (witch doctors) rub an egg over the person’s head and body, and then drop it in a glass of water.
From observing the egg’s movements, they can tell their patient what things they need to do to cure depression — similar to reading tea leaves in Tasseography.
This superstition likely stems from the idea that eggs are symbols of life and renewal, and by interacting with them, one can absorb their positive energy.
With such a powerful symbol, this is just one of several Mexican egg superstitions.
5. The Mexican Evil Eye (Mal de Ojo)
The evil eye in Mexico, or “mal de ojo,” is a widespread belief within the culture — and there’s a lot to know in order to understand Mexican evil eye superstitions.
It is thought that certain people have the power to cause harm or bad luck simply by looking at someone with envy or malice.
This belief has its roots in ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures and was brought to Mexico by Spanish settlers.
The evil eye is often blamed for a variety of ailments, from headaches to unexplained illnesses.
🧿 Protecting Against the Evil Eye in Mexico
To protect against the evil eye, various amulets and rituals are used.
One common practice is to wear a red bracelet like this one, carry a small charm or wear an eye-shaped pendant like these, to ward off negative energy.
Additionally, some people use prayers and blessings to protect themselves and their loved ones from the evil eye.
These protective measures are often passed down through families and are deeply ingrained in Mexican culture.
🧿 Modern Interpretations of the Mexican Evil Eye
While belief in the evil eye remains strong in some communities, modern interpretations have emerged.
Some people view the evil eye as a metaphor for negative energy or jealousy, rather than a literal curse.
This shift reflects the changing nature of superstitions in contemporary society, where traditional beliefs are often reinterpreted in light of new knowledge and experiences.
6. Keep Your Brooms Upside Down
Keeping kitchen brooms upside down is thought to ward off unwanted visitors.
This superstition is rooted in the belief that brooms have the power to sweep away negative energy — as with the besom used by Wiccans.
By placing brooms upside down, it is said the negative energy is trapped and can’t enter the home. This practice is still common in many Mexican households.
🧹 Mexican Superstitions Pro Tip: When, where and how you sweep the floor is also important, so make sure you follow the “rules” below.
Never sweep at night because it causes bad luck.
Never sweep dirt out the front door (especially not at night), or you’ll sweep out the good luck with it.
Never sweep over someone’s feet, or you’ll curse them with bad luck.
Never sweep over the feet of someone who’s single (especially a “soltera,” or single woman), or they won’t find love.
7. Never Let Your Purse Touch the Floor
In many Latin American countries, including Mexico, letting your purse touch the floor is believed to bring bad luck, especially in the form of financial loss.
This superstition is rooted in the idea that the floor is dirty and placing your purse on it can transfer negative energy to your finances.
To avoid this, many people make a conscious effort to keep their purses off the ground.
8. Don’t Drop Tortillas on the Floor
Dropping a tortilla on the floor is considered a bad omen in Mexico, and believed to lead to misfortune or bad luck.
This superstition likely has its origins in the importance of tortillas in Mexican cuisine and culture.
As a staple food in Mexico, tortillas are treated with respect, and dropping one is seen as a sign of carelessness.
9. Licking a Piece of Red String Cures Hiccups
One of the more unusual Mexican superstitions involves licking a piece of red string to make your hiccups go away.
After licking it, you should place it on your forehead so that it dangles down onto your face, and the saliva should help make this happen pretty easily.
This practice is believed to work because the color red is associated with health and vitality — though there’s obviously no scientific evidence to support it.
However, it remains a popular hiccup remedy for those who believe in it, and there might be something to that because placebos can be the best cures.
10. Fizzy Drinks Cure Stomach Aches
Here’s one of the more interesting and fun Mexico facts for you: Mexicans consume more coca-cola than any other country in the world.
With some always on hand in many households, fizzy drinks, particularly coca-cola, are often used as a remedy for stomach aches in Mexico.
This belief is based on the idea that the carbonation helps to settle the stomach and relieve discomfort.
You might see this in the U.S. as well, though ginger ale is more commonly consumed than cola, as ginger is known to settle the stomach and even cure nausea.
While these remedies are widely used in many places, it’s always best to consult a healthcare professional for persistent or severe symptoms.
11. Eating 12 Grapes at Midnight: One of the Mexican New Year Superstitions
New Year’s Eve is a time for various superstitions and rituals in Mexico.
One popular practice is to eat 12 grapes at midnight, with each grape representing a wish for the coming year.
Known as Las Doce Uvas de Suerte, or The 12 Grapes of Luck, you should consume one grape during the 12 chimes of the clock in your home at midnight.
This one is much harder than it sounds, so for some easier Mexican New Year superstitions, try these things:
Sweep the house from the inside out to remove negative energy and make way for good luck.
Walk around the block with your suitcase if you want to travel more this year.
Burning an effigy of an old man, known as “El Año Viejo” (The Old Year).
These rituals reflect the hope and optimism that characterize the start of a new year.
12. Wear Yellow Underwear on New Year’s to Attract Love
Wearing yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve in Mexico is believed to bring luck in love for the coming year.
This superstition is based on the idea that the color yellow symbolizes happiness and positive energy.
By wearing yellow underwear for Año Nuveo (New Year), you can attract love — but you can also wear different colors for different things:
🟢 Green Underwear: Good luck
🔵 Blue Underwear: Good health
🔴 Red Underwear: Passion and love
🟠 Orange Underwear: Professional success
⚪️ White Underwear: Peace, joy, happiness and harmony
🟡 Yellow Underwear: While some say it brings love, other say yellow symbolizes wealth and prosperity
This practice of wearing different colored underwear is popular among young people, and often accompanied by other Mexican New Year’s rituals.
13. Black Moths Foretell Death
Black moths, known as “mariposas negras,” are considered omens of death in Mexican superstition.
If a black moth enters a home, it is believed that someone in the household will soon die.
This belief likely has roots in ancient symbolism, where black animals were often associated with death and the afterlife.
While many people no longer take this superstition seriously, it remains a part of the cultural lore.
14. Tortillas Determine Relationship Success
In some Mexican households, the way a tortilla cooks can determine the success of a relationship.
If the tortilla puffs up while cooking, that’s a sign of a happy, successful relationship. Conversely, if it remains flat, it is believed the relationship may face challenges.
This fun superstition adds a touch of magic to the everyday act of cooking.
15. Garlic Protects Babies from Evil
Newborns are considered particularly vulnerable to evil spirits in Mexican culture. To protect them, various rituals and practices are followed.
One common practice is to place a red ribbon bracelet like this on the baby’s wrist to ward off the evil eye.
Additionally, some families place a small piece of garlic under the baby’s pillow for added protection.
16. Witch Doctors Can Cure You in Mexico
Curanderos (males) and curanderas (females) are traditional healers that play a significant role in Mexican culture.
They’re believed to have the ability to cure physical and spiritual ailments using a combination of herbal remedies, rituals, and prayers — and you can even hire them for an amare (love spell).
Curanderos often serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds, providing guidance and support to those in need.
Their practices are deeply rooted in indigenous traditions and are often passed down through generations.
🧙♀️ Beliefs in Brujas and Brujos
Brujas (female witches) and brujos (male witches or wizards) are also an important part of Mexican folklore.
They’re believed to possess supernatural powers and can use their abilities for both good and evil.
While some brujas and brujos are feared for their potential to cause harm, others are respected for their knowledge and skills.
Belief in these figures reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of Mexican superstitions.
🧙♀️ Mexican Witches in Contemporary Practices
In modern Mexico, the practices of curanderos and brujas continue to thrive, often coexisting with conventional medicine.
Many people seek out these traditional healers for ailments that they believe cannot be treated by modern medicine.
This enduring belief in the power of curanderos and brujas highlights the resilience of cultural traditions in the face of change.
My Final Thoughts on Superstitions in Mexico
Superstitions in Mexico (as well as superstitions in any country) are more than just quirky beliefs — they’re an integral part of the cultural fabric.
They can offer a unique window into a nation’s and its people’s collective psyche, showcasing their hopes, fears, and values.
For many Mexicans, especially the older generations, superstitions are a way of life.
Passed down from generation to generation, often through oral traditions, they’re deeply embedded in the collective consciousness — and a testament to the enduring power of cultural beliefs and traditions.
While some superstitions may seem strange or irrational to outsiders, they provide comfort and a sense of order in an unpredictable world.
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